Civil and Structural Engineering Degree Apprenticeship

Babcock International

Bristol, Warrington

Closes on Thursday 18 December 2025

Posted on 7 October 2025

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Summary

Join our Cavendish Nuclear business and build a future that matters. Over this 5-year programme, you’ll study for a degree in Civil Engineering while supporting innovative nuclear projects that help safeguard people, protect the environment and support the UK's clean energy future.

• Wage:

  £22,800 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Year 1: £22,800 Year 2: £25,993 Year 3: £29,186 Year 4: £32,380 Year 5: £35,773 Post-apprenticeship salary: £43,343

• Training course: Civil engineer (level 6)
• Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

  35 hours a week

• Start date:

  Tuesday 1 September 2026

• Duration:

  5 years

• Positions available:

  1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

• As a Civil and Structural Engineering Apprentice at Cavendish Nuclear, you’ll join a business that delivers vital engineering solutions across the nuclear sector. You’ll work on a variety of live projects, gaining exposure to everything from concept design through to construction and decommissioning. Whether you're helping to develop new build facilities or enhance existing infrastructure, your work will directly support national energy and security goals.

• Your day-to-day will vary depending on your placement. You could be based on-site at nuclear facilities or working from one of Cavendish Nuclear’s offices, each providing unique insights into how engineering solutions are delivered.

• Typical responsibilities include collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, performing technical assessments and safety evaluations, attending stakeholder meetings, and continuously learning through on-the-job experience and formal training.

• Depending on the project, tasks might involve 3D modelling, structural and civil design, seismic analysis, and structural inspections – all contributing to the safe and effective delivery of complex engineering solutions. No two days are the same, and every challenge helps you build the skills needed for a rewarding engineering career.

• Throughout the programme, you’ll be supported by experienced engineers and mentors who will guide your development and help you grow in confidence.

Where you'll work

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

• Bristol, BS16 1EJ
• Warrington, WA3 6YD

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

UNIVERSITY OF EXETER

Training course

Civil engineer (level 6)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Apply engineering principles to solve engineering problems: scientific, theoretical and technical principles.
• Apply civil engineering techniques, procedures and methods, and review and evaluate the results, including measuring and testing, designing, installing, commissioning, constructing, maintaining or operating civil engineering components and systems; consider how continuous improvement can contribute to improved performance.
• Employ mathematical, statistical and data interpretation tools, using analytical and computational methods, and apply an integrated or systems-based approach.
• Identify, interpret and compare information to select materials, components or parts used in civil engineering.
• Research, collect, select and evaluate technical literature and other sources of data and information to address, analyse and evaluate civil engineering problems.
• Produce civil engineering technical solutions in accordance with relevant industry standards, policies, codes of practice, regulations, and legislation.
• Select and apply computational and analytical techniques to model civil engineering problems, recognising the limitations of the techniques employed.
• Contribute to the design, development and implementation of civil engineering solutions, and evaluate their effectiveness in the context of the whole project life cycle.
• Manage and comply with statutory health, safety and welfare policies, procedures and regulation, and contribute to improvements in health, safety and welfare, within their own area of responsibility.
• Complete risk assessments to identify, evaluate, manage and mitigate risks.
• Apply principles of sustainable development and evaluate their effectiveness on the whole project lifecycle of civil engineering solutions.
• Manage engineering activities that contribute to sustainable development and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
• Apply project management techniques, identifying, measuring, recording and reporting progress against civil engineering project performance criteria.
• Manage quality processes and contribute to quality improvements.
• Plans and manages resources, equipment and technology, to meet project requirements, specifications, costs and budgets and timescales, with an appreciation of statutory and commercial arrangements.
• Monitor and manage individual performance, and the input of others, recognising the need to adapt to, and communicate, changing demands.
• Comply with appropriate codes of practice and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) requirements.
• Communicate in verbal and written contexts using appropriate methods for the audience. Use appropriate engineering terminology and conventions.
• Apply teamwork and collaboration principles.
• Apply ethical principles, identifying and analysing ethical concerns and making reasoned ethical choices.
• Plan, undertake and review their own professional competence, regularly updating, recording and reviewing their continuing professional development (CPD).
• Apply engineering principles to solve engineering problems: scientific, theoretical and technical principles.
• Apply civil engineering techniques, procedures and methods, and review and evaluate the results, including measuring and testing, designing, installing, commissioning, constructing, maintaining or operating civil engineering components and systems; consider how continuous improvement can contribute to improved performance.
• Employ mathematical, statistical and data interpretation tools, using analytical and computational methods, and apply an integrated or systems-based approach.
• Identify, interpret and compare information to select materials, components or parts used in civil engineering.
• Research, collect, select and evaluate technical literature and other sources of data and information to address, analyse and evaluate civil engineering problems.
• Produce civil engineering technical solutions in accordance with relevant industry standards, policies, codes of practice, regulations, and legislation.
• Select and apply computational and analytical techniques to model civil engineering problems, recognising the limitations of the techniques employed.
• Contribute to the design, development and implementation of civil engineering solutions, and evaluate their effectiveness in the context of the whole project life cycle.
• Manage and comply with statutory health, safety and welfare policies, procedures and regulation, and contribute to improvements in health, safety and welfare, within their own area of responsibility.
• Complete risk assessments to identify, evaluate, manage and mitigate risks.
• Apply principles of sustainable development and evaluate their effectiveness on the whole project lifecycle of civil engineering solutions.
• Manage engineering activities that contribute to sustainable development and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
• Apply project management techniques, identifying, measuring, recording and reporting progress against civil engineering project performance criteria.
• Manage quality processes and contribute to quality improvements.
• Plans and manages resources, equipment and technology, to meet project requirements, specifications, costs and budgets and timescales, with an appreciation of statutory and commercial arrangements.
• Monitor and manage individual performance, and the input of others, recognising the need to adapt to, and communicate, changing demands.
• Comply with appropriate codes of practice and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) requirements.
• Communicate in verbal and written contexts using appropriate methods for the audience. Use appropriate engineering terminology and conventions.
• Apply teamwork and collaboration principles.
• Apply ethical principles, identifying and analysing ethical concerns and making reasoned ethical choices.
• Plan, undertake and review their own professional competence, regularly updating, recording and reviewing their continuing professional development (CPD).

Training schedule

As part of your apprenticeship, you will study for a BEng in Civil Engineering at the University of Exeter. The apprenticeship combines practical and theoretical training, along with company-specific workplace learning. You will participate in four two-week teaching blocks each year. In the first three years, you will build a strong foundation in engineering science and a focus on applying mathematics to engineering challenges. You will also develop essential skills in project management, health and safety, and understanding socio-environmental impacts.  

The final two years will focus on applying your knowledge to real-world engineering problems, bridging the gap between theory and practice. 

By the end of the programme, you’ll have achieved the Skills England Level 6 Civil Engineer apprenticeship standard and earned a BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering degree.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• Any subject (grade 4(C) and above)
• Any subject (grade 4(C) and above)
• English (grade 4(C) and above)
• Mathematics (grade 4(C) and above)
• Science (grade 4(C) and above)

A Level in:

• Mathematics (grade B or above)
• Science (grade B or above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Team working

Other requirements

Many of our apprenticeship programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels

About this employer

Babcock is an international defence company providing support and product solutions to enhance our customers’ defence capabilities and critical assets. We provide through-life technical and engineering support for our customers’ assets, delivering improvements in performance, availability and programme cost. Our c27,700 employees deliver these critical services to defence and civil customers, including engineering support to naval, land, air and nuclear operations, frontline support, specialist training and asset management. We also design and manufacture a range of defence and civil specialist equipment, from naval ship and weapons handling systems to liquid gas handling systems. We also provide integrated, technology-enabled solutions to our defence customers in areas such as secure communications, electronic warfare and air defence.

https://earlycareers.babcockinternational.com/apprenticeships/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

• Fully funded qualification • Personal development training and opportunities • Minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays • Competitive pension scheme • Employee share scheme • Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme.

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

At the end of the programme, you will have acquired the skills and experience to move into a Civil and/or Structural Engineering role within Cavendish Nuclear.

You’ll also have the opportunity to build on your progress toward professional registration as an Incorporated or Chartered Engineer, a recognised benchmark of engineering competence, which can support your journey into more advanced roles, such as Senior Engineer.

 

As a global organisation, Babcock provides countless opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career. To support your growth, we’ve introduced the Babcock Role Framework, which outlines roles, career pathways, and development opportunities. With every job mapped to these frameworks, you’ll have a transparent view of the steps needed to reach Senior Engineer and beyond.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

UNIVERSITY OF EXETER

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000345397.

Apply now

Closes on Thursday 18 December 2025

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